As a pregnant or parenting student or employee at The College of New Jersey, you are protected under TCNJ’s Sexual Harassment, Misconduct, & Discrimination Policy. Title IX prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against pregnant or parenting individuals based upon their marital status and cannot discriminate against an individual because of childbirth, false pregnancy, or recovery from related conditions.
We are currently working on updating this page. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Title IX Coordinator, Chelsea Jacoby, at either 609-771-3112, or jacobyc@tcnj.edu.
Discrimination and Harassment
- Discrimination under Title IX includes:
- Differential treatment on the basis of sex/gender that causes impact or inequity.
- Gender-based harassment that is unwanted and severe, persistent or pervasive to create a hostile environment.
- Sexual harassment
- Quid pro quo (this for that)
- Severe, persistent or pervasive unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that create a hostile environment.
- Retaliation for filing or participating in a grievance is a violation of Title IX.
What Kind of Accommodations do I Have?
If pregnant, you have the option to meet with our Title IX Coordinator to obtain information about how the school supports pregnant community members in continuing to access their education/workplace. Reasonable accommodation cannot be refused based on faculty individual policies or College policies that indiscriminately prescribe attendance without pregnancy, disability, or medical condition consideration. Individuals have several options regarding their educational future and accommodations vary from person to person. Accommodations are made on an individual, case-by-case basis, but examples may include, (but are not limited to):
- Excusing absences due to pregnancy, or related conditions
- Excusing absences for parenting individuals (both male and female) who need to care for their sick children
- Flexible deadlines for work submissions
- Rescheduling tests and exams
- Providing alternatives to make up missed work
- Providing work desks
- Permitting access to elevators
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Pregnancy-related portions of Title IX regulations also apply to athletic departments, and TCNJ will treat student-athletes with pregnancy-related conditions the same as other ill or injured student-athletes. Financial awards to pregnant student-athletes who remains engaged with the athletic department will be renewed. Formerly pregnant student-athletes must be returned to the status which she held when the leave began.
Male Students As Parents
Title IX’s prohibition on pregnancy discrimination also applies to male individuals who are parents. As many academic policies may apply with equal force to male students who are parenting, TCNJ will provide gender-neutral policies in cases where male students require accommodations for parenting.
How Do I Request Accommodations?
As a pregnant or parenting member of the TCNJ community, you can seek accommodations through TCNJ’s Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct, located in the Brower Student Center Room 202. After meeting with the Office, the party will be assisted through creation of an individualized plan tailored to the party’s needs. This plan will cover academics, financial aid, workplace adjustments, how and when adjustments will be implemented, and any other matters relevant to the party’s situation.
Resources, Pumping, & Changing Areas On Campus
TCNJ is currently working on more areas to accommodate the needs of parenting students. Currently, we have a lactation area in the basement of Green Hall. Additionally, we have these locations if you need a private restroom in the Student Center, 1st Floor Restroom (changing table is available in this restroom) and Education Building, 1st Floor.
For information on lactation rooms please contact the Title IX Coordinator (609-771-3112) so a location can be designated based on your needs.
Resources
- Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School
- Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students
- National Women’s Law Center – Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights: FAQ For College and Graduate Students
- Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights
- About Pregnant and Parenting Students
- Pregnant and Parenting Student-Athletes
Resources For Pregnant & Parenting Sexual Assault Survivors
- Sexual Assault and Pregnancy: Nurturing the Survivor
- Breastfeeding as a Rape or Sexual Abuse Survivor
- Coerced Pregnancy and Partner Rape and Pregnancy Resources
- 7 Ways Sexual Trauma Can Affect Someone During Pregnancy
- About Partner Abuse During Pregnancy
- An Integrated Approach to Intimate Partner Violence And Reproductive & Sexual Coercion